reviews

2017 Acura RDX Walk Around

Nothing about the Acura RDX is daring or brash. Yet, it’s a good-looking crossover, inside and out.

Viewed from the side, the RDX resembles other compact crossovers. Taken as a whole, though, it presents a tasteful blend of smooth contours and crisp detail work, topped by a low, arched roofline to accentuate its fashionable stance. LED lighting, at front and rear, adds to the delicate, understated nature of the design, which is just elegant enough to warrant its luxury designation.

The front view is still the most distinctive. Not everyone appreciates the bright, beak-like grille, though it’s been toned down recently.

Interior

Successful crossovers need to provide both form and function. Those attributes are nicely balanced within the RDX. Largely symmetric, the dashboard design focuses on a central control pod, bracketed by a horizontal beltline. Central controls are angled slightly toward the driver. All are easy to locate and use.

Handsome and comfortable, the sophisticated, mostly quiet cabin would be ideal for two adults, accompanied by a duo of smaller passengers in the rear. Otherwise, back-seat space is a bit cramped, and those seats do not fold completely flat. Carefully trimmed, the cabin melds appropriate amounts of elegance and formality with a dash of sportiness.

Seats are comfortable all around. Front seats have ample bolstering, with eight-way power adjustment for the driver, who faces a tilt/telescopic steering column. Even large and tall occupants should have plenty of space up front, but head clearance and knee room are somewhat limited in the rear.

Cargo space totals 26.1 cubic feet behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.3 cubic feet if those seats are folded. An additional 15.6 cubic feet are available in under-floor storage.

Getting in and out of an RDX is especially easy, and the low cargo floor is helpful. Small-item storage is abundant, including a small shelf within the center console that can hold a cell phone, with a power outlet nearby.